Expandible ring construction having links with attaching jaws



M. MANNE Re. 25,163

EXPANDIBLE RING CONSTRUCTION HAVING LINKS WITH ATTACHING JAWS April 24-,1962 2- Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed. July 9, 1956 INVENTOR. MOE. MANNEATToQNE April 24, 1962 MANNE Re. 25,163

EXPANDIBLE RING CONSTRUCTION HAVING LINKS WITH ATTACHING JAWS OriginalFiled July 9, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3. FIG. 4. H05.

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INVENTOR. MO E M A N N E ATTORNEY United States Patent Re. 25,163Reissuecl Apr. 24, 1962 lice 25,163 EXPANDIBLE RING CONSTRUCTION HAVINGLINKS WITH ATTACHING JAWS Moe Manne, Lawrence, N.Y. r|g|nal No.2,806,363, dated Sept. 17, 1957, Ser. No. 596,729, July 9, 1956.Application for reissue Feb. 26, 1959, Ser. No. 795,873

Claims. (Cl. 6315.4)

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets II] appears in the original patent butforms no part of this reissue specii cation; matter printed in italicsindicates the additions made by reissue.

The present invention relate generally to finger rings, and inparticular to an improved expandible band suitable as a wedding ring.

A very popular type of wedding band or ring is one which incorporates anumber of spaced stones and/or designs about its annular extent. Therequirement for symmetry in design about the band makes it impracticalfor the jeweler to adjust the size of the ring, as is the presentpractice, by cutting the ring, sizing the same to the finger of thewearer, and assembling the cut ends of the ring. conventional method ofsizing, it becomes necessary for the jeweler to stock a complete rangeof sizes, or to carry 12;. sample line and conduct business on a specialorder asis.

To obviate this difficulty it has been suggested that an adjustable ringbe constructed of multiple sections slidably linked together andprovided with a spring arrangement for biasing the respective links intoa position corresponding to the smallest of a range of sizes. Among theadvantages attributed to these structures is the ability of the ring toadjust to the size of the finger of the wearer, the capacity of the ringto expand and to pass over a prominent knuckle, and the ability of thering to conform to the size of the finger as the size of the fingerbecomes larger and smaller, as by the loss of weight, growth, and changein climates. The structures proposed in the prior art have been found tobe impractical and thus have not come into any appreciable use byjewelry manufacturers.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedfinger ring, particularly useful as a marriage band. Specifically, it iswithin the contemplation of the present invention to provide an improvedring structure which makes possible mass production manufacture atcomparatively low unit cost and in a manner compatible with acceptedtechniques for the manufacture of jewelry.

The improved finger ring of the present invention includes an annulus ofring sections which are connected together for limited movement relativeto each other whereby the annulus is adjustable over a range of sizesbetween limit positions corresponding to a smallest size and 21 largestsize. An annular spring is assembled within the ring body and providesuniformly distributed tension on the annulus to urge the same into thelimit position corresponding to the smallest ring size. The constructionof the annulus establishes the limit to which the ring may be stretchedwhereby the elastic limit of the spring is not exceeded when the annulusis expanded to the limit position corresponding to the largest ringsize. Specifically, the ring sections which make up the finger ringinclude a first set of links each having longitudinally-extending barsand transversely extending pivots at each end thereof; and a second set,consisting of the remaining sections or links, having at each endthereof opposed longitudinal extending parts defining an elongated slotwith an entry en'd. At least one of the parts has a projection forpartiallyconstricting the entry end of its slot, and at least In thataesthetic requirements precludes this one of the parts is deformabletoward the other of the parts to close off the entry end of theassociated slot. The pivots and longitudinally-extending. partscooperate to connect the first and second sets of links or sections intothe ring-like body which is adjustable to various ring sizes.

Among the advantages realized in accordance with the present inventionare extreme case of assembly, com plete compatibility with presenttechniques for ornamenting rings (i.e., setting stones, polishing andthe like), facility for mass production manufacture at com parativelylow cost with ordinary tools, and ready re placeability of any of thecomponent parts including the spring. The ring itself is exceptionallysuited to the needs of the wearer, both aesthetically and functionally.It is possible to ornament the ring in a manner which virtually obscuresthe fact that the same is adjustable. When on the finger, the structureassures uniformly distributed tension on the various sections of thelink which allows the ring sections to expand uniformly withoutdisturbing the symmetry of the ring design. Thus, the functionalrequirements are achieved in a manner calculated not to detract from thedecorative appearance of the ring.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features, andadvantages of the present invention will be best appreciated byreference to the following detailed description of a presently preferredring construction and method of manufacture, when taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view with parts broken away and in section, ofan expandible finger ring embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of a ringsection or body part and a connecting link which are incorporated intothe expandible ring of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a stretch-out view showing a number of sections and linksslidably interconnected to partially complete a band of alternatesections and links in a first assembly step;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG;3 looking in the direction of the arrows, in a plane offset from thelongitudinal median plane of the band;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary inside view showing an end adjacent link andbody section of a partially-completedring duringa further assembly stepinaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, illustrating the manner in which thespring of the expandi-ble ring is assembled with the band;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIGS. 5 and-6, showing the spring in itassembled position prior to the linking together of the opposite ends ofthe band; and

PEG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 and showing the final step in atypical ring assembly.

Referring now specifically to the drawings; there is shown in FIG. 1 anexpandible ring constructed in accordance with the present invention andgenerally designated The ring 10 includes a by the reference numeral 10.number of body'sections 12 which are connected together by a number oflink sections 14. The connecting links and as seen best in theperspective showing of FIG. 2 are of generally H-shaped configuration.The body section 12 is cast in any appropriate metal by conventionaltechniques and includes a cross bar 18 connecting together 'side bars20, 22. The section 12 is symmetrical both transversely andlongitudinally and the cross bars 20, 22 have a curvature correspondingto the corresponding sector of the ring. The portions 20a, 22a of theside bars 20, 22 which project forwardly of the cross bar 18 carriedintegral, inwardly projecting, aligned pins 24, 26; similarly, theoppositely directed portions 20b, 22b of the side bars 20, 22 carryintegral, inwardly projecting, aligned pins 28, 30. The aligned pairs ofpins 24, 26 and 28, 30 serve as pivots and as part of slidableinterconnections between ring sections as will be hereinafter described.The pairs of pins have their respective inner ends terminating atlocations spaced from the longitudinal center or median plane of thebody section 12.

Extending longitudinally of the body section 12 is a guide member 32formed with a guide bore 34. The guide member 32 has the same curvatureas the side bars 20, 22 and extends fore and aft of the cross bar :18.The diameter of the guide bore 34 is somewhat smaller than the spacingbetween the inner ends, of the respective pairs of pins 24, 26 and 28,30 so that endwise access to the guide bore 34 is not obstructed by thepresence of the pins.

Each of the connecting links 14 is of identical structure and isdimensioned to have its opposite end portions received within seatsdefined by the portions 20a, 22a and 20b, 22b of the adjacent bodysections 12. The connecting links 114 each embody a top plate 36 havingan integral longitudinally extending guide member 38 formed on theundersurface thereof having a guide bore 40 extending therethrough. Theconnecting link 14 is initially cast with longitudinally-extending pairof slots 42, 4 4 and 46, 48 at the opposite ends thereof which areadapted to accommodate the opposed pairs of pins 24, 26 and 28, 30. Attheir under side the respective pairs or slots are bounded by L-shapedjaws 50, 52 and 54, 56. In the initial casting, the jaws are formed todefine constricted leading or entry ends for the respective slots whichare of a height somewhat smaller than the diameter of the pins 24, 26and 28, 30. Thus upon endwise assembly of the connecting links 14 andthe respective body sections 12, the pins enter the accommodating slotswith a snap action. For example, the pins 24, 26 will enter therestricted leading ends of the slots 46, 48 upon advancing theconnecting link 14 in FIG. 2 into assembly in the adjacent confrontingseat of the link 12. After, the snapaction assembly is achieved,permanent locking of the body section 12 and the connected link 14 isbrought about by bending the jaws '4, 56 so that their dependingextensions bridge and close the ends of the slots 46, 48, as may be seenin the sectional showing of FIG. 4. The displacement of the jaws 54, 56may be achieved by any convenient means employed for peening as is wellknown in the jewelry field.

An appropriate number of alternate body sections 12 and 14 are connectedin an annulus and a spring 58 is arranged in the continuous guidewayprovided by the guide bores 34, 40 of the parts 12, 14. In the preferredform of the invention, the spring 58 is an elongated coil of stainlesssteel wire or hard gold which has its opposite ends anchored on a pin60, in a manner which will be described hereinafter. The spring 58provides uniformly distributed tension on all of the parts of the ringwhereby the symmetry of the body sections 12 will be maintained as thering adjusts to various positions over its range of adjustment which isdetermined by the cooperating pin and slot connections between the links14 and the body sections 12. The spring 58 is effectively caged withinthe body of the ring 10 and accordingly is isolated from contact againstthe finger of the wearer. The outer faces 12a, 14a of the respectivebody sections [and link] of links 12, 14 are provided with settings forstones, ornamentation or the like in accordance with the style anddesign of the ring, particularly the spring 58 and the anchoring pin64). The spring 58 serves a dual purpose, providing the required tensionon the ring sections and serving as a guard against loss of the ring inthe event that the slidable interconnection between any one of the linksand the body sections breaks or opens during use. The provision of thecontinuous or annular spring which traverses all of the sections of thering not only assures distributed tension about the ring but alsoassures uniform stress distribution on the spring. Provision for uniformstress distribution coupled with the pin and slot interconnection limitsthe stress developed in the spring. As will appear hereinafter, thestress is established Well below the elastic limit or breaking point ofthe spring so that spring failure is virtually precluded.

A preferred method of assembly will now be described in detail, specificreference being made to the progressive showings of FIGS. 3 to 8inclusive.

Referring first to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a band B consisting ofalternate body sections 12 and links 14 connected together for limitedsliding movement as previously detailed in conjunction with thedescription of FIG. 2. In this illustrative showing, the band is onlypartially completed in that for the ring of FIG. 1 the band consists offive body sections 12 joined in end to end relation by five connectinglinks 14. The band B terminates in an end adjacent connecting linksection 14' at the other of its ends (see FIG-S. 5 to 8 inclusive). Inthe illustrative showing of FIGS. 3 and 4, the body sections which joinat the slidable interconnection 1 are shown in the inner limit of theirmovement relative to each other, said inner limit being determined bythe maximum inward travel of the pins of the body sections in the slotsof the adjoining link. At the next slidable connection along the band B,designated by the letter 1 the body sections are shown in their maximumoutward displacement relative to each other, the respective pins beingat the outermost ends of the slots. Finally at the location 1 along theband, the connecting link is shown in position for snap assembly overthe pins or studs of the adjacent body section.

Preliminary to the joining together of the respective link sections,appropriate designs are completed on the top faces 12a, 14a of therespective parts. These designs may include settings which are solderedin place for mounting of previous or semiprecious stones. Alternatively,the design on the outer surface of the ring may be completed when thevarious sections are linked together, this depending of course upon thetype and complexity of the required ornamentation.

The completed band B is then polished and finished by techniques which"are well understood in the jewelry art.

Thereupon the coil spring 58 is threaded through the aligned guide bores34, 40 of the respective body sections and connecting links asillustrated in FIG. 3 with the aid of the pilot wire P. Before or duringassembly of the coil spring with the band B, end adjacent coils 58a ofthe spring are wrapped about the anchoring pin 60. When the threadingoperation is completed, anchoring pin 60 lies across one end of thecontiguous guide member 32' and the end adjacent link 12', asillustrated in FIG. 5. The pilot wire P and the coil spring emerge fromthe guide bore 38' of the end adjacent connecting link 14'. Uponexerting a pull on the spring '58, as indicated by the directional arrowin FIG. 5, the spring under tension and the band B forms into aring-like configuration with the end adjacent parts 12, 14' of the bandin position for connection as illustrated in the inside showing of FIG.5 to 8 inclusive. The anchor pin 60 is displaced toward the right by thetool T shown in FIG. 5 so that the pin assumes the laterally offsetposition of FIG. 6. To permit the anchoring pin 60 to be laterallyoffset the side bars of the end adjacent body section 12 are providedwith aligned holes, one being designated by the reference numeral 62.With the pin otlset as shown in FIG. 6 there issufiicient working roomfor the other end of the spring 58 to be anchored on the pin 60 bywrapping around several of the turns of'the spring as illustrated at58b.

:Excess portions of the original length of spring are then cut away, andwith the aid of the tool T, the anchoring pin -60 is displaced to itssymmetrical position, as illustrated in FIG. 7. In placing the initialtension on the spring 58, care should be taken to avoid placing toogreat a stress on the spring which might bring about excessivestretching of the spring when the ring is expanded to its maximum size(i.e., the condition illustrated at location 1 in FIGS. 3 and 4).Anchoring of the spring 58 on itself to provide a closed'annulus whichis under tension assures uniform distribution of the tension about thering 10. After the spring is in place, the pins 24', 26 of the endadjacent body section 12 are engaged by snapaction into the alignedslots of the end adjacent connecting link 14' and a peening tool isemployed to close the associated jaws to complete the assembly asillustrated inFlG. 8. As part of the final operation, an appropiratefill is placed into the holes 62 which were provided in the end adjacentbody section 12 to facilitate manipulation of the anchoring pin 69 andmounting of the spring 58 within the ring If for one reason or anotherthe spring 58 is to be replaced, it is but a simple matter to open the'slidable interconnection between the end adjacent links 12, 14' andremove the spring for replacement by a different spring.

A latitude of modification, substitution and variation is intended inthe foregoing structure, which is intended for use primarily as a fingerring but may be used in a watchband, bracelet or the like. Accordingly,it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in amanner consistent with the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What I claim is:

1. An expandible ring comprising a plurality of links, a first setconsisting of alternate ones of said links each includinglongitudinally-extending bars, a transverselyextending pivot at each endof each link of said first set, a second set consisting of the remainingones of said links each including a link body, said link body at eachend having opposed longitudinally-extending parts defining an elongatedslot having an entry end opening endwise of said link body, at least oneof said parts having a projection for partially constricting the entryend to provid a closed elongated slot, each of said closed elongatedslots having a length substantially greater than the longitudinal extentof its pivot to provide a sliding connection therebetwcen [of its slot]at least one of said parts being deformable toward the other of saidparts to close off the entry end of its slot, said pivots andlongitudinally-extending parts cooperating to connect said first andsecond sets of links into a ring-like body for adjustment to variousring sizes.

2. An expandible ring comprising a plurality of links, a first setconsisting of alternate ones of said links each includinglongitudinally-extending bars, a transverselyextending pivot at each endof each link of said first set, a second set consisting of the remainingones of said links each including a link body, said link body at eachend having opposed longitudinally-extending parts defining an elongatedslot having an entry end opening endwise of said link body, at least oneof said parts having a projection for partially constricting the entryend of its slot, at least one of said parts being deformable toward theother of said parts to close oii the entry end to provide a closedelongated slot, each of said closed elongated slots having a lengthsubstantially greater than the longitudinal extent of its pivot toprovide a sliding connection therebetween [of its slot], said pivots andlongitudinally-extending parts cooperating to adjustably connect saidfirst and second sets of links into a ring-like body for adjustment tovarious ring sizes, and spring means within said ring-like body andbiasing said ring-like body into a prescribed ring size.

3. An expandible ring comprising a plurality of links, a first setconsisting of alternate ones of said links each includinglongitudinally-extending bars, a transverselyextending pivot at each endof each link of said first set, a second set consisting of the remainingones of said links each including a linkbody, said link body at each endhaving opposed longitudinally-extending parts defining an elongated slothaving an entry end opening endwise of said link body, one of said partsserving as a base and the other of said parts having a transverseprojection for partially constricting the entry end of its slot, saidother part being deformable toward said base to close off the entry endto provide a closed elongated slot, each of said closed elongated slotshaving a length substantially greater than the longitudinal extent ofits pivot to provide a sliding connection thereb'etween [of its slot],said pivots and longitudinally-extending parts cooperating to slidablyconnect said first and second sets of links into a ring-like body foradjustment to various ring sizes, and spring means within said ring-likebody and biasing said ring-like body into a prescribed ring size.

4. 'An expandible ring comprising a plurality of links, cooperatingmeans adjustably connecting said links together into a ring-like body,afirst set consisting of alternate ones of said links each having acurvature corresponding to'a segment of said ring and includinglongitudinally-extending bars, a transversely-extending pivot at "eachend of each link of said first set, a second set consisting of theremaining ones of said links each comprising a link body at leastpartially accommodated between the side bars of said first set, saidlink body at each end having opposed longitudinally-extending partsdefining an elongated slot "having an entry end opening end- Wise "0)said link body, at least one of said parts having a projection forpartially constricting the entry end of its slot, one of said partsbeing deformable toward the other of said parts to close off the entryend to provide a closed elongated slot, each of said closed elongatedslots having a length substantially greater than the longitudinal extentof its pivot to provide a sliding connection therebctwee'n [of itsslot], said pivots and longitudinally-extending parts servingas saidcooperating means for adjustably connecting said sets of links ofring-like body for sliding adjustment to various ring size, meansextending between said side bars defining an endless guideway about saidring-like body, an elong'ted spring in said endless guideway, and meansconnecting opposite ends of said spring together under tension.

5. An expandible ring comprising a plurality of links, a first setconsisting of alternate -ones 'of said links each having a curvaturecorresponding to a segment of said ring and includinglongitudinally-extending bars, a transversely-extending pivot atea'ch'end of each link of said first-set, a second set consisting of theremaining ones of said links each comprising a link body accommodatedbetween the side bars of said first set, said link body at each endhaving opposed longitudinally-extending parts defining an elongated slothaving an entry end opening endwise of said link body, one of said partsserving as a base and the other of said parts having a projection forpartially constricting the entry end to provide a closed elongated slot,each of said closed elongated slots having a length substantiallygreater than the longitudinal extent of its pivot to provide a slidingconnection therebetwcen [of its slot], said other part being deformabletoward said base to close off the entry end of its slot, said pivots andlongitudinally-extending parts cooperating to adjustably connect saidsets of links into a ring-like body for adjustment to various ring size,and spring means extending between said side bars and about saidring-like body for biasing said ring-like body into a prescribed ringsize.

'7 6. An expandible ring comprising a plurality of links, a first setconsisting of alternate ones of said links each includinglongitudinally-extending side bars, a transverse-' ly-extending pin atthe end of each of said side bars, said pins being arranged in pairs inend to end alignment and extending toward each other to provide a pivotat each end of each link of said first set, the inner ends of said pairsof pins terminating short of the center plane of said ring, a second setconsisting of the remaining ones of said links each including a linkbody accommodated between the side bars of said first set, opposedlongitudinally extending parts defining anelongated slot having an entryend opening endwise of said link body, at least one of said parts havinga projection for partially constricting the entry end of its slot, oneof said parts being deformable toward the other of said parts to closeofi the entry end to provide a closed elongated slot, each of saidclosed elongated slots having a length substantially greater than thelongitudinal extent of its pivot to provide a sliding connectiontherebetween, said pivots and parts being constructed and arranged toconnect said sets of links of ring-like body for sliding adjustment tovarious ring size, means extending in said center plane between theinner ends of said pairs of pins defining an endless guideway about saidring-like body, and an elongated spring in said endless guideway biasingsaid ring-like body into the smallest of a range of size adjustments.

7. An expandible ring comprising a plurality of links, a first setconsisting of alternate ones of said links each includinglongitudinally-extending side bars, a transversely-extending pin at theend of each of said side bars, said pins being arranged in pairs in endto end alignment and extending toward each other to provide a pivot ateach end of each link of said first set, the inner ends of said pairs ofpins terminating short of the center plane of said ring, a second setconsisting of the remaining ones of said links each including a linkbody accommodated between the side bars of said first set, opposedlongitudinally-extending parts defining an elongated slot having anentry end opening endwise of said link body, one of said parts having atransverse projection for partially constricting the entry end of itsslot, said one part being deformable toward the other of said parts toclose ofi the entry end to provide a closed elongated slot, each of saidclosed elongated slots having a length substantially greater than thelongitudinal extent of its pivot to provide a sliding connectiontherebetween, said pivots and parts being constructed and arranged toconnect said sets of links of ring-like body for sliding adjustment tovarious ring size, means extending in said center plane between theinner ends of said pairs of pins defining an endless guideway about saidring-like body, an elongated spring in said endless guideway, and meansconnecting opposite ends of said spring together under tension.

8. In an expandible ring including a plurality of links, a first linkincluding longitudinally-extending bars, a transversely-extending pivotat each end of said first link, a second link including a link bodyhaving at each end opposed longitudinally-extending parts defining anelongated slot having an entry end opening endwise of said link body, atleast one of said parts having a projection for at least partiallyconstricting said entry end of said slot, at least one of said partsbeing deformable toward the other of said parts to at least partiallyconstrict said entry end to provide a closed elongated slot, said closedelongated slot having a length substantially greater than thelongitudinal extent of its pivot to provide a sliding connectiontherebetween, said pivot and longitudinallyextending parts cooperatingto adjustably connect said first and second links.

9. In an expandible ring including a plurality of links, a first linkincluding longitudinally-extending bars, a transverseIy extending pivotat the end of said first link, a second link including a link bodyhaving at an end opposed longitudinally-extending parts defining anelongated slot having an entry end opening endwise of said link body, atleast one of said parts having a projection for at least partiallyconstricting said entry end of said slot, at least one of said partsbeing deformable toward the other of said parts to at least partiallyconstrict said entry end to provide a closed elongated slot, said closedelongated slot having a length substantially greater than thelongitudinal extent of its pivot to provide a sliding connectiontherebetween, said pivot and longitudinally-extending parts cooperatingto slidably connect said first and second links.

1 0. In an expandible ring including a plurality of links, anintermediate link including a link body having at each end opposedlongitudinally-extending parts defining an elongated slot having anentry end opening endwise of said link body, at least one of saidpartshaving a projection for at least partially constricting said entry endof said slot, at least one of said parts being deformable toward theother of said parts to at least partially constrict said entry end toprovide a closed elongated slot, said closed elongated slot having alength substantially greaterthan the longitudinal extent of its pivot toprovide a sliding connection therebetween, further links disposed at0pposite ends of said intermediate link and respectively in end to endalignment therewith, each of said further links includinglongitudinally-extending bars and a transverselyextending pivot at anend thereof, the respective pivots of said further links and thelongitudinally-extending parts of said intermediate link cooperating toadjustably connect said links.

References Cited in the file of this patent or the original patentUNITED STATES PATENTS 365,115 Bigney June 21, 1887 1,018,663 Harrop Feb.27, 1912 1,571,731 Newman Feb. 2, 1926 1,660,438 Fielding Feb. 28, 19282,244,637 Better June 3, 1941 2,302,426 Domler Nov. 17, 1952 2,747,259Brioux May 29, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 12,384 Great Britain Aug. 7, 1890

